Museomics reveal origins of East African Pleophylla forest chafers and Miocene forest connectivity.

Here we present a nearly complete species-level phylogeny including 23 of the 25 known species of the forest-dwelling herbivorous scarab chafer beetle genus Pleophylla (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Sericinae), based on the analysis of 950 nuclear genes (metazoan-level universal single-copy orthologs; mzl-USCOs). DNA sequences were obtained from freshly collected, ethanol-preserved samples and from dried museum specimens by target enrichment or genome shotgun sequencing. Alignment completeness of mzl-USCOs newly obtained here by target DNA enrichment of ethanol samples were very heterogenous and lower (29-62 %) than in Dietz et al. (2023a), while that of sequences recovered from dried samples was even lower (∼19 %). Alignment completeness of the sequences obtained from low coverage shotgun sequencing was highest (∼92 %), although the average coverage was much lower than for the target enrichment samples. We used the resulting phylogeny to reconstruct the historical biogeography of the group. To estimate a time-calibrated tree, we combined the mzl-USCO data of Pleophylla with a nucleotide alignment from an available transcriptomic dataset of Scarabaeoidea and used two different sets of secondary calibration points. Despite the problems associated with the capture rate of mzl-USCO sequences from museum specimens, we were able to infer a well-resolved phylogeny of the genus Pleophylla that also provided reliable estimates of the phylogenetic position of species for which we had little sequence data. Our study clearly identified South Africa as the geographic origin of Pleophylla. Timing and biogeographic history confirm a persistent fragmentation of forests since the Eocene. The occurrence of only one long-distance dispersal event from southern Africa to the Eastern African Arc even during the Miocene highlights the limited dispersal possibilities for these forest-adapted chafers, which do not seem to have had important northerly range expansions along hypothetical forest corridors during the Pleistocene.

Roger Guillemin: A Century of Life, A Legacy of Endocrine Discoveries.

Dr. Roger Guillemin was a French physiologist who won the Nobel Prize in 1977. His pioneering research and fierce competition led to the isolation and identification of hypothalamic hormones, including thyrotropin-releasing factor (TRF), luteinizing hormone-releasing factor (LRF), and somatostatin. These discoveries transformed the knowledge of the role of the hypothalamus in endocrine control. His work not only helped in the advancement of scientific understanding but also directed the field for decades. His research continues to resonate today, shaping modern endocrinology and impacting the global treatment of endocrine disorders.

Eduardo Slatopolsky: A Pioneer in the Field of Mineral and Bone Disorders in Kidney Disease.

Eduardo Alberto Slatopolsky (1934-2024), Washington University Joseph Friedman Professor Emeritus of Medicine, a prominent physician-scientist, was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The impact of his research in the area of mineral and bone disorders in kidney disease has been profound for over 50 years starting in the 1960s. He was a global authority on secondary hyperparathyroidism. He was instrumental in illustrating the role of hyperphosphatemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and in developing the first reliable parathyroid hormone (PTH) assay. His research led to the utilization of calcium salts as phosphate binders replacing the toxic aluminum salts. Moreover, he illustrated the role of vascular calcifications in CKD patients, paving the way for non-calcium phosphate binders. He proposed the use of calcitriol and later vitamin D analogs in the management of secondary hyperparathyroidism, which is the current standard of care. He demonstrated the decreased expression of the calcium-sensing receptor in parathyroid tissue in CKD patients. Dr. Slatopolsky's global legacy will last for generations.

Dr. Sidney Farber (1903-1973): Founder of Pediatric Pathology and the Father of Modern Chemotherapy.

Dr. Sidney Farber (Farber) was a distinguished pediatric pathologist and widely recognized pioneer of modern chemotherapy. In 1948, his influential study showed that various anti-folates, particularly 4-aminopteroylglutamic acid, also known as aminopterin, induced transient disease control in kids who had acute undifferentiated leukemia. The findings laid the basis for developing and using additional chemotherapies, individually or in combination, for treating pediatric and adult cancers. Farber also introduced actinomycin D to treat Wilms tumor in various stages. Underneath his oversight, the 'Jimmy Fund,' one of the earliest dedicated pediatric oncology centers, and the Children's Cancer Research Foundation, which subsequently evolved into the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, was established. Farber is known as the "Founder of Pediatric Pathology" and the "Father of Modern Chemotherapy," citing his immense contributions. This article is a tribute to the great scientist Farber for his significant contributions to the scientific field and the countless individuals he has impacted.

Honoring Professor Hugo Lorenz Obwegeser: A Visionary in Maxillofacial Surgery and Orthodontics.

Hugo Lorenz Obwegeser was a pioneering Austrian surgeon whose contributions profoundly transformed the field of maxillofacial surgery. His groundbreaking work marked a pivotal turning point, enabling more sophisticated and effective corrections of facial deformities. Obwegeser revolutionized his area of expertise by introducing innovative osteotomies of the mandible and maxilla, which became foundational techniques for addressing facial asymmetries. In addition to his surgical advancements, Obwegeser was a key figure in establishing the European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, helping to define the modern scope of the specialty. His legacy in maxillofacial surgery is distinguished by his unwavering commitment to innovation, mentorship, and the continuous advancement of surgical practices. This article aims to honor the extraordinary achievements of Hugo Lorenz Obwegeser and his lasting impact on the field of maxillofacial surgery.

From Pathogen to Toxin: The Revolutionary Work of Dr. Sambhu Nath De in Understanding Cholera.

In the history of medical science and public health in India, the groundbreaking research on cholera toxin by Dr. Sambhu Nath De presents a pivotal moment. This review article dives into Dr. De's influential contributions to the understanding of cholera pathogenesis, his discovery of the cholera toxin, and its implications for the treatment and prevention of diseases. By defining the process via which vibrio cholera causes severe diarrhea and dehydration, Dr. De worked toward paving the way for the development of effective rehydration therapies and preventive strategies that have helped save innumerable lives all over the world. This article also reviews the more significant impact of Dr. De's findings in the field of public health and its shaping and use of modern approaches to infectious control. This article aims to honor the enduring legacy and contributions to public health reform by Dr. De.

Marvin Minsky: The Visionary Behind the Confocal Microscope and the Father of Artificial Intelligence.

Marvin Lee Minsky, a pioneering figure in artificial intelligence (AI), was born on August 9, 1927, in the city of New York. His father, Henry, was an eye surgeon, while his mother, Fannie, was involved in Zionist activities. Minsky was instrumental in establishing the AI laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and authored numerous influential works on AI and philosophy. Among his many accolades was the prestigious Turing Award, which he received in 1969. Minsky was an exceptionally brilliant, creative, and charismatic individual, whose intellect and imagination were evident in his work. His ideas played a pivotal role in shaping the computer revolution that has profoundly transformed modern life in recent decades. In 1957, Minsky patented the confocal microscope, a significant invention that was a forerunner to today's confocal laser scanning microscopes. This innovation significantly improved image clarity and contrast by focusing light on a specific depth within a sample, unlike traditional microscopes, which allow light to penetrate deeper layers. The influence of his contributions continues to resonate in contemporary efforts to develop intelligent machines, one of the most thrilling and significant undertakings of our time.

From Cats to the Cortex: Unravelling the Hierarchical Processing System of Vision and Brain Plasticity.

The groundbreaking research conducted by neurophysiologists David Hubel and Torsten Wiesel during the late 1950s and 1960s revolutionized the field of visual neuroscience. Through single-unit recordings in the visual cortex of cats, they made several key discoveries that fundamentally changed our understanding of visual processing. Their work introduced the concept of orientation selectivity, revealing that neurons in the visual cortex are specifically tuned to line orientations, thereby illustrating how the brain constructs visual representations through edge detection. Additionally, they discovered ocular dominance columns, the specialized cortical regions that respond preferentially to input from one eye, providing crucial insights into the organization of visual processing and the importance of binocular vision. Hubel and Wiesel's research also established the concept of a critical period in visual development, demonstrating that early visual experiences are essential for the proper maturation of the visual system. This discovery has had significant implications for understanding neural plasticity and the role of sensory input in neural development. The impact of their work goes beyond theoretical knowledge, contributing to the development of therapeutic strategies for some visual disorders and guiding current research into brain plasticity and visual processing. This review synthesizes the monumental contributions of Hubel and Wiesel, evaluating how their key discoveries have shaped subsequent research in visual neuroscience. It traces the evolution of knowledge related to visual pathways, feature detection, and brain plasticity, highlighting the enduring influence of their foundational work on contemporary studies. By exploring the progression from their pioneering findings to modern advancements, this review emphasizes the legacy of Hubel and Wiesel's contributions to our understanding of vision and neural function.

The Pfannenstiel-approach - from 1900 until 2024.

The Pfannenstiel approach is an often used approach while treating pelvic ring injuries. Especially, symphyseal plating is performed using this approach. The original description is based for performing gynecological transverse caesarean section. While originally, a transverse dissection of the rectus abdominis muscles were favored, the presently used dissection and exposure is completely different to the classical symphyseal approach. A clear trend is observed, based on the experience of pelvic surgeons to the so-called supra-symphyseal crosscut approach according to Küstner using a longitudinal fascial incision. A transverse fascial incision of the rectus sheaths is usually not performed. Thus, the term Pfannenstiel approach should be replaced by "modified Pfannenstiel approach". Level of evidence V.

Redefining Cancer Care in India: Dr. Viswanathan Shanta's Lasting Contributions and Its Enduring Impact.

Dr. V. Shanta (1927-2021) made priceless contributions that significantly changed advanced cancer care in India. Trained at Madras Medical College and further trained in oncology internationally, she transformed the Cancer Institute in Chennai from a 12-bed facility into a leading cancer care institute of global repute. Dr. Shanta championed early cancer detection and sought to dismantle the stigma surrounding the disease, particularly in rural communities. Under her leadership, the institute introduced pioneering technologies and established India's first pediatric oncology institute. She was instrumental in creating comprehensive cancer registries that informed national health policies. Her dedication to holistic, patient-oriented care and her commitment to equitable healthcare earned her numerous accolades, including India's highest civilian awards such as the Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan and Asia's premier prize the Ramon Magsaysay Award. Her work remains a cornerstone of oncology in India, continuing to inspire future generations of medical professionals.

People's Health in People's Hands: Dr. Abhay Bang and Dr. Rani Bang's Pioneering Approach to Rural Healthcare in India.

Dr. Abhay Bang and Dr. Rani Bang, a husband-and-wife team, have dedicated their lives to reforming healthcare in rural India. Their pioneering work in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, through the Society for Education, Action, and Research in Community Health (SEARCH), has led to revolutionary interventions such as the Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) model, significantly reducing infant mortality rates. Their emphasis on women's health and community empowerment has revolutionized conventional healthcare practices and influenced global health policies. This review article sheds light on the historical context and lasting impact of their contributions to community-based healthcare and public health research.

Dr. Ignaz Phillip Semmelweis: The Unrecognized Pioneer of Aseptic Practices.

Modern medicine is well-versed in aseptic and infection control practices, such as hand hygiene, proper use of disinfectants, and personal protective equipment. The early 1800s lacked any concept of effective antisepsis because they predominantly believed in the miasma theory (now abandoned), which believed that disease was caused by bad air coming out of rotting organic matter. In the era of "miasma theory," Ignaz Semmelweis dared to pave the way for germ theory disease. Vienna General Hospital supported his work, but his hypothesis remained unpublished and unheard by the rest of the world. In 1861, his major publication, "The etiology, concept, and prophylaxis of childbed fever," sparked strong opposition and rejection of his theories. His mental condition deteriorated due to the strong rejection and criticism from his peers, leading to the development of amnesia, anxiety, and severe depression. He was unfortunately admitted to an Austrian asylum, where he was confined and beaten. Eventually, the man who conquered puerperal fever succumbed to septicemia due to an infected wound from the beating.

NARO historical phenotype dataset from rice breeding.

Data from breeding, including phenotypic information, may improve the efficiency of breeding. Historical data from breeding trials accumulated over a long time are also useful. Here, by organizing data accumulated in the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) rice breeding program, we developed a historical phenotype dataset, which includes 6052 records obtained for 667 varieties in yield trials in 1991-2018 at six NARO research stations. The best linear unbiased predictions (BLUPs) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to determine the relationships with various factors, including the year of cultivar release, for 15 traits, including yield. Yield-related traits such as the number of grains per panicle, plant weight, grain yield, and thousand-grain weight increased significantly with time, whereas the number of panicles decreased significantly. Ripening time significantly increased, whereas the lodging degree and protein content of brown rice significantly decreased. These results suggest that panicle-weight-type high-yielding varieties with excellent lodging resistance have been selected. These trends differed slightly among breeding locations, indicating that the main breeding objectives may differ among them. PCA revealed a higher diversity of traits in newer varieties.

In Dabouki Land: Interdisciplinary notes on the cultural history of a landrace grape cultivar in Israel.

Cultivated for millennia, the grapevine held a special status as one of the most important fruits in the historical Levant and the Mediterranean world. However, since past farmers typically did not leave written accounts of their activities, viticulture history is often shrouded in ambiguity, especially concerning the classification of grapevine landrace varieties. Hence, the study of archaic viticulture relies heavily on methodological fusion to unravel its more readily discernible biological and oral traditions. We therefore merged archaeological fieldwork, historical archival analysis, field geography and ethnographic interviews to collect multifarious data on the Dabouki grapevine. Our analytical synthesis enabled us to depict how, over the course of history, diverse communities variously grew this cultivar in dryland vineyards. The cultural history of the Dabouki stretches from at least the Ottoman era, when it was widely planted throughout the region under various names, to its current revival by enterprising Israeli and Palestinian winemakers. The majority of our research was conducted within a unique environmental corridor in the western Negev of Israel where dense concentrations of relic Dabouki grapevine survive. Our paper surveys the cultural history of the Dabouki grape as a flagship cultivar in the intergenerational horticultural regimes of arid land farmers in the western Negev of the southern Levant. Remarkably, archaic Negev viticulturalists used the same cultivars across successive historical periods and varying socioeconomic contexts. As such, the paper illustrates that arid regions with longstanding winegrowing traditions are ideal for locating endemic grapevines that apparently can withstand challenging growing conditions. Focusing on the enduring legacy of the Dabouki, we suggest how historical knowledge of ancient dryland farming systems and landrace cultivars can bolster the sustainability of contemporary viticulture.

From Silence to Sound: Graeme Clark's Cochlear Implant.

Graeme Clark is an exceptional Australian professor and otolaryngologist who spent most of his life researching a way to help his deaf father and others suffering from profound hearing loss gain a better connection to those around them. His invention, the cochlear implant, has changed the lives of over 300,000 people around the world, with more than half of those individuals being children. Clark successfully created the first sensory connection linking the external world with human consciousness. He subsequently established the Bionic Ear Institute, now known as the Bionics Institute, to further improve his invention through research. He served as the full-time director until he retired at age 70 in 2005. Graeme Clark has been recognized worldwide for restoring hearing to the deaf and greatly improving their everyday lives.

Dr. Subhas Mukhopadhyay (1931-1981): A Pioneer in the Field of Reproductive Medicine.

Dr. Subhas Mukhopadhyay achieved a significant milestone in reproductive medicine by creating India's first test-tube baby, just 67 days after British researchers made a similar breakthrough. Despite this remarkable achievement, Dr. Mukhopadhyay faced substantial discredit, ridicule, and forced silence, which tragically led to his untimely death by suicide. It was only through the persistent efforts of Dr. T. C. Anand Kumar that Dr. Mukhopadhyay's pioneering work was eventually recognized, and he was credited with this groundbreaking accomplishment in India.

Per-Ingvar Brånemark (1929-2014): A Homage to the Father of Osseointegration and Modern Dentistry.

Dr. Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark (Branemark), a Swedish professor of anatomy, is widely acknowledged as a pioneer in modern implant dentistry. His accidental discovery of the strong bond between titanium and bone, which he named "osseointegration," signifies a revolutionary progression in dentistry. This significant contribution has earned him global recognition among scholars and the general public. His work, which spans across disciplines, has introduced a new era of implant reconstruction and fostered the formulation of principles rooted in bone biology. This interdisciplinary advancement has paved the way for diverse craniofacial and orthopedic applications, including facial prostheses and limb replacements, owing to titanium's biocompatibility within the human body. This article stands as a tribute to Brånemark and his remarkable innovation. Despite not being a dentist, Brånemark, an orthopedic surgeon, has left an enduring legacy in dental implantology that continues to impact the field today and will undoubtedly do so in the future, deserving lasting recognition.

Jenner's Legacy: How Edward Jenner's Smallpox Vaccine Changed Public Health.

Edward Jenner who discovered immunology and the smallpox vaccine conducted a smallpox vaccination test in 1796, which is considered a landmark in the history of modern immunization. This review focuses on describing Jenner and his accomplishments highlighting his discovery as a shift in the approaches toward disease control and prevention as well as the basis for further eradicating smallpox globally. Jenner's use of cowpox to protect people from smallpox was a revolution from other essential procedures such as variolation. His vaccine demonstrated how immunization could be used to combat diseases, and over the years the idea began to be deployed to other vaccines and other diseases. Besides the given medical profession, the work of Jenner was relevant to the changes or even enhancements of health policies and health systems globally. His vaccine provided not only the means to arrest a wide disease that could easily eliminate many human beings but also initiated procedures of disease prevention and control. Another important type of immunity, herd immunity, which determines an approach to managing specific diseases in the present, as well as knowledge of the degree of protection provided by the antigen in terms of the overall immune status of a population, was also achieved based on the actions taken after Jenner's procedure. As our society searches for vaccines for emergent diseases to date, this review reveals that Jenner's accomplishments are still relevant. In this article, analyzing Jenner's approach and the role of society and science at the time, along with the consequences of his work, the reader sees how Jenner changed the world of public health and laid a foundation for today's vaccination. Such an approach allows considering the changes and evolution of the topic that Jenner studied and contributed to and how people fight infections today.

Edward Jenner: The Pioneer of Vaccination and His Enduring Legacy in Modern Medicine.

Edward Jenner's work in the latter part of the 18th century laid the groundwork for contemporary vaccination techniques and represented a crucial moment in the battle against contagious diseases. Born in 1749 in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, Jenner received early medical training under the guidance of John Hunter, a distinguished British surgeon. Although variolation offered some immunity to smallpox, it was a hazardous procedure that could result in severe illness or even death. It was within the context of limited and hazardous medical practices that Jenner made his revolutionary observation that milkmaids who had contracted cowpox, a relatively mild illness, appeared to be immune to smallpox. This local folklore piqued Jenner's interest, leading him to investigate the potential of cowpox as a safer alternative to variolation. His work paved the way for the development of vaccines for other infectious diseases, transforming public health and establishing a foundation for modern immunology. The smallpox vaccine became a crucial element of public health initiatives, ultimately leading to the global eradication of the disease by the late 20th century. Jenner's contributions have saved countless lives and represent a testament to the enduring influence of his work on global health. His pioneering efforts laid the groundwork for vaccines that protect us today, solidifying his place as one of the most influential figures in medical history.

Sir Harold Ridley as the Pioneer of Intraocular Lenses: His Inspiration Drawn From World War II Pilots.

This article underscores the monumental contributions of Sir Harold Ridley to the development of intraocular lenses (IOLs), which have revolutionized cataract surgery. Sir Harold Ridley, a British ophthalmologist and medical scientist, drew inspiration from the injuries of World War II pilots to pioneer the first successful IOL implantation in 1949 at St. Thomas's Hospital. The lens, made from Perspex CQ, marked the inception of modern cataract surgery. Despite facing considerable skepticism and resistance from the medical community throughout the 1950s and 60s, Ridley's perseverance led to the gradual acceptance of IOLs by the 1970s. Today, Ridley is rightfully recognized as the "father of the intraocular lens," with his groundbreaking work having profoundly impacted the field of ophthalmology and improved the quality of life for millions globally.